Some Facts and Figures About Novels,

Waikato Times, Volume XXIII, Issue 1884, 2 August 1884, Page 1 (Supplement)

Some Facts and Figures About Novels,

AccoiJDixc; to "A Publisher," there must havo been 430,000 volumes of fiction printed in England duiing the past year. Truly an appalling total to oonteinplate ; all the more as, according to the "Publisher," this gigantia production of printed matter has been in great part a dead loss to^all concerned except the printers, bookbinders, and advertising agents. On about two-thirds of the no vela published, the authors have lost heavily; which will not surprise many people, for authorship, like other luxuries, has to ha paid for. In addition, we are informed, the publishers themselves have also lost a good deal. "A Publisher" forgets one unfortuuate class who have aleo lost on a good many of these novels; and that i 3 the unlucky reviewers, who have dropped many valuable hours over the perusal of these works of art. As for the general public they have not lost much, because the " Publisher" believe 3 that a very large number of novels published are not read by the general public— which herein shows unusual wisdom. The "Publisher's' conclusion ti that fiction is, like poetry, " a drug on the market," which young writers had better avoid. But the piofits made by a few successful novelists are so great that we fear his advice will not be taken ; especially as he informs ua that at least ten novels are written for every one published— an aweinspiring statement, which rouse 3 thoughts too deep for words, or even tears.

Hure is a very singular illustration of optical delusion which a ehango of position will sometimes effect. Take. a row of ordinary capitals and figures: S3SSSSXXXXXXBBBBBB. They ara such as are made up of two parts of equal shape 3. Loot carefully at these, and you will perceive that the upper halves of the characters are a very little smaller than the lower halves — so little that art ordinary eye declares them to' be of equal size. Now, turn the paper upside down, »nd, without any careful looking, you will see that this difference Jn size ia very much exaggerated ; that the real top half of the letter in very mugh BinaUer than the bottom hajf,